Chelen Johnson
NITARP is without a doubt one of the two most valuable pieces of professional development work I have done in 25 years of teaching, and by far the most rewarding content-related work. I think that what you are doing is really unusual and valuable.
[Astronomy] is a collaboration of many parts working together for a common goal. Not knowing everything but knowing how to find the answers needed and how to ask the questions.
I think that the most surprising thing about it was how young everyone was! I absolutely did not expect that, maybe because the amateur community is so much older by comparison, and is mainly composed of retired people.